Your seedlings will probably be fine, but it will most likely be years before they bloom. I'd try again with potted plants (not bare root) from a reputable source (Seneca Hill usually carries them, and has some interesting varieties). Pot-grown plants can be transplanted, but I'd just slide them out of their pots (like unmolding jello) and into some deep, well prepared soil with good drainage (like I can ever find any of that!), and make sure not to plant them any deeper than they were already growing. Just don't try to dig them up later and move them around - that's much more of a challenge.

Bubba, thanks for the advice. I'll check around at some local nurseries and give potted plants another try. Do you grow the alba or the rosea? I've heard the white ones are not so vigorous.